PRE-EPISODE Intro Katie: Many of our programs we have, whether they're peer advisors, or professional, you know, career advisors, students, parents, um, we really try to draw from people that we serve, and, and get their perspectives on the content that we publish, um, to not only again bring that firsthand perspective but those, those true and authentic experiences. Chris: This is the Penny Forward podcast, a show about blind people building bright futures one penny at a time. I'm Chris Peterson, ... Liz: I'm Liz Bottner, ... MOe: I'm MOe Carpenter, ... Chris: And today, we have Richard Rueda, Katie Frederick, and Lori Scharff, not necessarily in that order, from the APH Connect Center, back on, as we do almost every year at about this time, to talk about the APH Connect Center. For those of you who are unaware of what that is, we'll tell you in just a second. We'll also find out what's new at the APH Connect Center, and what people might be able to be expecting from the future. Richard, Katie, Lori, thank y'all for being here. Richard: Thank you for having us. Good afternoon. Good day. Chris: Richard, could you start out by telling us, uh, for those who are unfamiliar with it, what the APH Connect Center is, and what it does? Richard: Certainly. And thank you, Chris and Liz, for having us on your podcast, uh, happy to be back, and at its core, the APH Connect Center, in its sixth year with the American Printing House for the Blind, is a website that provides information and resources to people who are blind and low vision, from children, adults, and families, who themselves are blind or low vision, and/or for those they serve who are blind or low vision. Through our I and R line, that folks can connect with via telephone, toll free, and/or through E-mail, you can get your questions answered on all things that are relevant and related to blindness and low vision, from employment to health care, to resources for your local community. Uh, through the APH Connect Center website, we have Family Connect, which provides resources for families who are blind or low vision raising children, uh, who need resources, from education to advocacy to recreation. Uh, you have career Connect, which, uh, Lori and I will talk about at great length later on, but, essentially, it's career exploration and career readiness resources for job seekers, and for practitioners looking for information for job seekers, as well as for employers. And then, you have Vision Aware that provides information for adults who are adjusting to vision loss to remain self sufficient in their homes, from eye diseases to macular degeneration, and, and many, many other things. Rounds out what the APH Connect Center is. Chris: Thank you. And the I and R line, I and R stands for "information and resources, correct? Richard: Yes. Liz: Thank you, Richard, for giving us that brief overview. Katie, what are some of the new initiatives, or things, that are happening in the Connect Center? Katie: Sure. So, I think, um, since we spoke last, we were in the process of launching our new website, which Richard Mentioned. We had, um, in the past, we had three different websites, but we put everything under one website now, so you can find all of our content at aphconnectcenter.org We are continually working on the site, looking at all of the content that we have, and really trying to maximize the ability for people to find us when they are searching online for our information. So, we're doing a lot of work behind the scenes to make sure that we are using keywords, so that when we all type things into Google, people can get to the Connect Center information easier, and faster, and we can continue to do the good work that we are doing with our, you know, outreach and letting people know that we are here with our great content and resources. MOe: Lori, could you tell me a little bit about who the APH Connect Center is good for? Lori: Well, I like to say it's good for everybody. Everybody from parents who may have a newborn baby, and a new diagnosis of blindness or visual impairment, to job seekers who are blind or low vision, to professionals working in the field, maybe looking for resources and information, all the way to seniors who may be adjusting to brand new vision loss. So we really do encompass the whole scope of services and information that people who are blind or low vision, or their care givers, may need. Chris: Richard, I know that you and I have talked at great length about how, uh, a lot of blindness websites, blindness organizations, are really reaching only a small fraction of the number of blind people that we estimate are actually out there. And that doesn't even include caregivers or family members or friends that might have questions. With this effort that Katie mentioned to optimize for specific keywords, has there been any learning or insights or surprises that have come out of that so far, that maybe give us an idea of what people are most googling for? Richard: Yeah. It, it's, it's funny that you mention that 'cause I'm, I'm kind of chuckling over here, and I'm sure Katie and Lori will have their perspectives on this. We at APH, the American Printing House, have made a concerted effort over the past several years to look at our language and how we're referring to people who are blind and visually impaired. And, and we have since said, "You know, as an agency, not just a connect center, we really want to move away from using 'visually impaired,' and, and, instead, using 'low vision.'" And, and it came from leadership on down. And we've, we've done a lot, I think, both at the Connect Center, and through APH, to, to change that language, and to model disability in, in a more positive light. So, when we're looking at search engine optimization, which we've all have been really rooted in the last few months, as we've done what Katie mentioned, uh, we, we still see that many people are searching as "visually impaired," and "blindness," and "visual impairment," so we have to be mindful when we put key words in. And those types of things in the search engine that we have to keep "visually impaired" in there, so that folks can find us. Because if we put "blindness and low vision" because we like it and we want to model it, it doesn't mean that the people doing internet searches, googling, and/or searching through artificial intelligence, are finding us if we, if we remove all references to vision impairment, and vision loss. Which, again, is, no pun intended, eye opening. And, and, perhaps Katie and Lori, you might want to expand upon that? Katie: Yeah. This is Katie, I think what I would add to that is that, for people, especially, maybe people who are dealing with age related vision changes, or vision loss, to them, if, if they have, and, and I know someone who personally, you know, explained this to me, that they were fully sighted and then, they truly lost a sense that they had. And it is no more. So, to them, they lost their vision, and they're dealing with that, they're coping with it, but it truly is a loss. And so, I think as, you know, Richard was saying, just being mindful of the words that we're using to, to reach our audience, and to make sure that we are meeting people, as much as we can, where they are on their journey, because it is a journey. Of adapting, and grieving, and, and all the things. So, um, that's, that's an effort that we're really trying to work on within our, our content. Chris: Lori, anything to add? Lori: I think, you know, also it's kind of indicative of generational changes in language. My neighbor, who is thirty-five years my senior, said to me a couple weeks ago, "I never thought I would be afflicted like you." (Chuckle.) And, you know, I kind of cringed, and said to myself, "Okay, I get it. You know, this is a big change." And in my head, I said, "You know, that's a perfect example. Like, they might be searching for the term "afflicted,” because to her, that's what she is now." Liz: Katie, you mentioned the content on the Connect Center website. Who submits that content? How does it get there? Katie: So, that's a great question. Um, we have many volunteers, especially for Vision Aware, but our other sites too, that have created content for us, written content pieces for us, um, over the years, and we are very grateful for their contributions. Many of our programs we have, whether they're peer advisors, or professional, you know, career advisors, students, parents, um, we really try to draw from people that we serve, and, and get their perspectives on the content that we publish, um, to not only again bring that firsthand perspective but those, those true and authentic experiences to our site, and really give people an idea of how they, you know, one person's experience can lead to someone else's better understanding of, "Oh, I, I didn't realize I could still, you know, enjoy my garden even if I've lost my vision." Or, you know, "I didn't know I could still craft, or participate in leisure and recreational activities." And we also do have some contractors who help us put some, some pieces together for the sites, and they help too. So, it really, really takes a team effort to, to put all of this content together on the site and keep it, keep it going. MOe: Lori, if I were a first time visitor to the Connect Center, where do you suggest I start, and, and, and I'm sure it's a very overwhelming experience when you're a first timer on the site. So where would you recommend to get started? Lori: well, we do have a listing of different categories, uh, for example, with regards to our blogs that we have on the website, and that might be a good area to peruse, so that you can say, "Oh, well, you know what? I'm thinking, of getting ... a ... guide dog." Or "I'm looking for ... how to ... do an informational interview." Or "I need to know about ... how I can handle social situations because, I can't see well enough now to identify who people are in a social situation." You know. peruse the listing of categories and then, figure out, what category do you feel, as an individual, would be applicable to your situation? We also have links to other material, like our YouTube channel, um, so that might be of interest, and that has past webinars that have been archived, so, that's also another area that people might want to check out. Richard: This is Richard. I would add, uh, to, the good resources Lori mentioned that, also, from the home page of aphconnectcenter.org you can learn about our I and R line, and directory of services, and if you are in a state where you want to, or position where you want to connect with someone over the telephone to get in depth resources or additional guidance, the I and R line has a toll free number that one can dial, and/or an E-mail address, which, we can share it with your show notes, but it is 800-232-5463, or connectcenter@aph.org so, it's another way to connect with our folks directly and quickly. Katie: One more resource that I want to add that hasn't been mentioned, we have a couple of getting started guides that are available on the web site. Our Family Connect team recently launched two new guides, one for children birth to third grade, and then fourth to twelfth grade, for those in school, because those services and supports are very different, and so, they have two guides covering those age spans, and then on the Vision Aware side, we have a getting started guide for people who are new to vision loss, and that's really geared for consumers, um, you know, people, families, support groups, we, we send those guides out. Um, we have them in hard copy format, we can, send them out, or they're available as a, as a PDF, and, um, the, the getting started guides are available in both English and Spanish. Chris: I'm curious, have we answered all of the questions yet, or are there still new topics or new ways to talk about blindness and low vision, or new questions that have come up through the I and R line, that uh, have surprised any of you? Richard, do you want to start with that? Richard: I think there's always conversations to be had about blindness and low vision, in, in the context of modern events. I mean, since we have last met, that little thing that was kind of way in the back of the internet is now kind of present and forward, artificial intelligence. That plays a big topic on employment, and, for folks who are blind and low vision, different techniques, different technologies that are emerging. Uh, the disappearance of, of certain technologies that are no longer, and having to, adapt to new technologies, are, are always things that we will want to cover through our blogs and webinars and, and interviews, and articles through the Connect Center. And we want to make sure that the information that we are putting out there to the public is relevant, is up to date, is abbreviated from something maybe we have posted two or three years ago that's outdated. Or even ten years ago. Where information is still good, but we want to say "Hey, this may no longer exist, but this other thing does." And having that conversation around it. So, people are informed, in that the information that we're sharing is respectful, is vetted, and it serves both the practitioners, the community, and the job seeker, and the family, and, or the adult with vision loss. Katie: If I could add to that, I think having the, the new information is, is crucial, but also, sharing people's stories and experiences when they're willing to share them with us. One of the things that we often do on Vision Aware is, is try to feature some books either written by people who are blind or low vision, or featuring people who are blind or low vision in the book. You know, as Richard said, it's not only about keeping abreast of some of the new things happening in our world and how they might impact us as people who are blind, as Richard and Lori and I are, and, you know, it impacts us, as individuals, and then, you know, conveying that to our audience, but also making sure that, that we don't lose touch in, um, that perspective, of people who may be coming to us, and just, the timeless question of, "I just lost my vision. Help! I don't know what to do. Where do I go? What do I do?" You know, really, that, that, kind of step-by-step guidance is, is so important for people. And we're just happy to be able to get them started through our I and R, and directory of services, and our other resources to, to get them started on a, on a path and on their journey. Liz: Are there metrics on what the most visited section, or article, of the Connect Center website might be? Richard: I know we're constantly looking at data. Especially now that we're looking at search engine optimization, and our, um, web media manager, Tony, said that on the Connect Center home page, there was like a heat map. He could see where things were visited and kind of looked at the most versus where parts of the website weren't. So, there are those types of things, and we are always looking at monthly statistics and data on which blogs and articles and resources are being sought out the most. And that helps us adapt, to meet people where they're at, and, and looking at what people are searching for. In Google, and elsewhere. Liz: But more specifically, in terms of the time of this recording, is there one specific thing on the website that is getting more traction than other things? Richard: Well I like to say that Vision Aware has been around quite awhile, and they have a large following, and they, they often get, uh, thanks to the work of Katie and Pris, they, they do have a lot of visitors, and, and, not that Career Connect and Family Connect and I and R and Directory doesn't, but I think Vision Aware is, is, is a household name in the community, and, and when people search, they often come across, would you not agree, Katie, articles and blogs and resources that often start at the Vision Aware. And then go further beyond that. Katie: Yes. And especially our topics of, you know, eye condition information. A couple of years ago, we did a webinar on, um, the topic of bioptic driving, and we're looking at doing an updated, you know, version of that this fall. And again, that's kind of going back to something we talked about earlier. Is, is that approach of new, and updating content, and it's, you know, just constantly evolving and, and changing. Um, but those are, you know, really topics that people are, are very, you know, curious about, wanting to know more about. MOe: Speaking of what people are looking for, since we are a financial based podcast, do topics of finances come up a lot, or is there people looking for that kind of information? Richard: I think when it comes to finances, we certainly look at Career Connect as a place to be financially sound, and, and looking for work and employment. So, I think that's a good starting point for folks who want to be self sufficient, on their own, and we are partnering with Penny Forward to, uh, do some webinars this past year, as well as some articles that you all have contributed to the Connect Center. And so, those are certainly resources that people dial into, and that we are proud to be a partner with you on. Chris: Well, thank you for that. We enjoy that partnership as well. So, in the time that we have left, what's on the horizon for the Connect Center? Any new, new things coming up that people can look forward to as far as topics, or, or, uh, delivery methods, or, or just anything else you can think of? Lori: We just relaunched our job seekers tool kit in May of 2024, this year, and we had inherited it from the American Foundation for the Blind, and it was a, a little over ten years old, so we've modernized that, and, you know, we really hope that maybe people who are blind or low vision and are kind of stuck in a rut maybe, as I like to say the percentage of people not actively looking for work, meaning they haven't applied for a job within the last, uh, thirty days to one year, would take a look at something like the Job Seeker's Tool Kit and get motivated to re-enter the work force, and help themselves to develop financially. And that's a five-session course that we have that focuses on everything from, you know, like "what are your work interests and, you know, work culture, and things like that, and then we move into things like the application process, building a resume, cover letter, all the way through the interview process, and our last course focuses on how to keep a job. And that's a partnership with N Sight, and you can get to that through, uh, a link on our website, and we can send that to you, Chris, for the show notes, and, uh, create an account, and, and, go through the course, as you, uh, have time. Richard: I was gonna continue on, we are partnering to get the word out of, of these resources and tools for those that we want to serve, who want to learn more about blindness and low vision. Not just those of us who are blind and low vision, but those out there who are newly blind, they're newly low vision, and/or needing resources. Or people needing information for a class project, which we, we get several requests about, often. And, and so the partnerships are important, uh, working with Guide Dogs for the Blind for the annual career and canine connections that we do, which happen this August, and then, uh, marketing is a, is a big thing that we do. Outreach. Conferences that Katie goes to for Vision Aware. That Lori and I go to for Career Connect to speak about Job Seekers' Tool Kit, and that Melissa Matthews, who's our content manager for Family Connect, who, who represents Family Connect. And, uh, we're, we're out there, we're at several conferences throughout the year. The, the big ones, the consumer conferences, such as American Counsel of the Blind, the National Federation of the Blind, but other ones on aging, and vision loss, and, and regional ones. We're there, not just APH, but the Connect Center is there. We're presenting, we're at tables, we're handing out information so that we're really on the radar of those practitioners and those consumers, so that they know we're there, and we're not going away. And that's an important part of what the Connect Center is. Chris: And if you follow Richard on social media, you know that he's almost never home. So, that is definitely true. (Laughter.) Richard: Very true. Katie: That's our "other duties as assigned" travel. Lori: That's right. Liz: This question can be answered by all of you actually, and I would like it to be answered by all of you, for our listeners who are listening to this who may be new to experiencing vision loss, what is one piece of advice that you would give them? We'll start with Lori. Lori: I would say, hope, and connect with the Connect Center website, our I and R line, and find yourself a buddy to help motivate you, and see your way through your difficulties. Liz: Richard? Richard: Yeah. I completely agree with what Lori said, and, and to add to that, I, I think, at the very local level, because everything starts at home. If you're newly blind, and adjusting, find people in your local community who know about blindness and low vision. Find a chapter of one of the consumer groups. And learn about what they do, and how they can get you connected with resources in your town. From whether it's para transit, to signing up to your local talking book library, and, uh, and other resources in your town. And then from there, perhaps you will get involved, and, just, like Lori said, find a buddy, find a mentor, and, and you're not alone. You're definitely not alone. And, and remember that. Liz: Katie? Katie: Gosh. Uh, they took all my answers. No. (Chuckle.) Uh, ... Lori: Sorry. (Katie and Lori laugh together.) Katie: No. I think, um, again, finding a support group, there are others who can, who can help you, who have been where you've been before, and, you know, it takes a village. We all, even those of us who've been blind maybe all of our lives, or, you know, have had vision changes throughout our life, we all, you know, come together and say, you know, "Hey, how do you do this?" Or, "Has anyone tried this?" Or, you know, so we're all learning from each other. It's, it's a community. And, just, get out there. Your, your life is not over. You may have lost a, a sense, you know, in your, your eyesight, or you're adapting to a new way of living, but your life is still yours to live. And so, go out there and, and, you know, live it to the fullest. Liz: And I do just want to mention that all of us on this podcast episode today do identify as having a vision loss. Just for awareness, for listeners. Richard: And this is Richard. Maybe for the out-take, I'm just here to say, on the record, that this year I worked harder on working smarter on not working harder. (Laughter from various speakers.) Chris: And, for information about that last statement, refer to last year's APH Connect Center podcast episode, where Richard stuck his foot firmly into his mouth. (Several more chuckles.) MOe: And, finally, as we wrap up, I believe, this episode, um, Katie, can you tell us how we can get in touch with the Connect Center? Katie: Sure. So, our website address is APH Connect Center, all one word, dot O R G. You can E-mail us at, um, connectcenter@aph.org or you can call our Information and Referral line, at 800-232-5463, and, um, find us online at APH Connect Center dot o r G. Chris: All right, well thank you all for being here. We appreciate your, uh, bringing us up to speed on what's going on at the Connect Center, and, we always love getting advice from others in the blind community. I think that never gets old. So, uh, Richard, Katie, Lori, good to talk to you again. (A couple of seconds of silence.) Katie: Thank you for having us. Lori: Thank you. Richard: Thank you. Chris: Before we go, we'd like to thank our sponsors, the APH Connect Center, Thrivent, Wells Fargo, and World Services for the Blind. The Penny Forward podcast is produced by Chris Peterson and Liz Bottner, with help from MOe Carpenter, audio editing and postproduction is provided by Brynn Lee, text transcription is provided by Anne Verduin, and the music is composed and performed by Andre Louis. It's not a coincidence that we, and all of the people I just mentioned, are blind. Penny Forward is a nonprofit organization, founded and led by blind people. Through education, mentoring, and mutual support, we help each other navigate the complicated landscape of personal finance. We offer accessible and affordable online financial education courses, group workshops, and one on one financial counseling. To learn more about any of those programs, please visit our website at www.pennyforward.com and select the "join us" link, right near the top of the page. Now, for all of us in the Penny Forward community, I'm Chris Peterson, ... Liz: I'm Liz Bottner, ... MOe: I'm MOe Carpenter, ... Chris: Thanks for listening and have a great week.